- Myth: It’s supposed to be relaxing the whole time.
Reality: Sure, it’s relieving—right after they turn your muscles into mashed potatoes and break up knots the size of golf balls. The pain is temporary; the relief lasts longer. Did you know that it’s only dysfunctional muscles that are sore to touch? Functional muscles can receive deep touch, as long as it is slowly applied, without pain.
2. Myth: One session will fix ‘everything’.
Reality: That’s like expecting one gym session to give you a six-pack. True healing takes time, consistency, and maybe a stretch or two (which you’ll totally forget to do). The speed of recovery is also influenced by age, attitude, muscle memory, understanding of what needs to be done and why, lifestyle and your mindset. Remedial massage creates the physiological conditions to assist the body healing itself. Your therapist would love to help you identify your resistance points to support your momentum towards optimum health.
- Myth: If it hurts, they’re doing it wrong.
Reality: That “hurts so good” feeling? It’s tension leaving your body. Knots don’t go quietly, but you’ll thank your therapist after.
- Myth: It’s just a fancy back rub.
Reality: If by “back rub,” you mean a professional tension-buster who knows exactly where your pain lives, then yes. Otherwise, no. The Massage Centre in Chiswick is not a spa, if you want superficial non changing rubs – our advice is to go elsewhere.
- Myth: It’s only for injuries or athletes.
Reality: Unfortunately, the title Sports Therapy is one dimensional. We prefer the word Remedial Massage, meaning ‘to remedy’. Stress from sitting at a desk or binge-watching TV counts too. You don’t need to be a marathon runner to need some TMC care.
- Myth: More pressure = better results.
Reality: A skilled therapist knows when to go deep and when to ease up. Tissue trauma is complex. Too much pressure doesn’t help—it just makes you cry (and not in a good way).
- Myth: You shouldn’t feel sore afterward.
Reality: A little soreness is totally normal. It’s your muscles saying, “Thanks for finally paying attention to me!” We call it DOMs, delayed onset muscle soreness, just like a challenging exercise workout leaves an after feeling – a feeling of change.
- Myth: They can “fix” years of bad posture in one go.
Reality: That desk slump you’ve been perfecting? It’ll take more than one session to undo. Your therapist is good, but they’re not a magician. Many of our Chiswick clients sit 300+ hours per month. A couple of treatments won’t produce miraculous results but a treatment per month over a year or two can retrain postural behaviour.
- Myth: Only your muscles benefit.
Reality: Think again! Remedial massage can help with work concentration, ability to switch off, better sleep, and even improving your mood (once the knots are gone, of course).
- Myth: You don’t need to communicate during the session.
Reality: Your therapist isn’t a mind reader (though the good ones come very close). Speak up if something feels off—they want you to leave feeling amazing, not in more pain. Like a first date, the first session isn’t always perfect. Your Massage Therapist would love to get it right for you so try the European approach and give authentic feedback. Your body will love you for it!
If reading this article on Massage Myth busting felt good, try the real thing and schedule your next remedial deep tissue massage treatment. The Massage Centre in Chiswick is open 7-days per week and have a excellent selection of differently skilled therapists so we can match you up with the right fit! Give us a call on 0208 166 8958 or book online and we’ll see you there!
